Climate Change predictions for the SW include increased temperatures, decreased rainfall and runoff and seasonal variation and storm intensity. This will in turn have a measurable effect on landscape, water, biodiversity and people. This project aims to collate, interpret and demonstrate appropriate adaptation response to climate change in the Peel Region and wider South West Catchments.

The objective is to prepare land and biodiversity managers in the South West Region, to recognise and be ready to adapt to the effects of predicted climate change through the best available technical and scientific information combined with local knowledge input.

The philosophical and practical message that we would like to see developed comes directly from the linked technologies that give us the capability to regionally map vegetation condition and medium-term trend that is already probably showing Climate Change effects. From that hind cast we can start to understand better how to forecast and an “adaptive” approach is taken.

The inevitable change will have positive and negative effects, we must (and can) plan to minimise the negative and maximise the positive effects on natural resources and biological diversification within the PHC.

The importance of linking to the other work

The State Government has two relevant independent projects, The Green House Strategy and SRFME plus another range of relevant work being done within departments and CSIRO that will underpin all of the work in the PHC. Links with “Climatic Scenarios & Land Use Study” project, which aims to assess potential climates variability and the effects these may have on crop and pasture suitability that is currently proposed by the Department of Agriculture on the Southern Agriculture Region.

Arguably, this is the most important basic challenge against all other work undertaken by SWCC will be measured. The concept of rapid adaptation to changing climate will be difficult to put into practical outcomes and scenarios without a significant change in mindset. Clear practical local examples of Climate Change predictions for the SW based on increased temperatures and decreased rainfall and runoff are needed. The project will analyse and document the scenarios of climate change in the PHCC but they will have direct relevance to the SW as a whole. The benefit of detailed local knowledge will be used to estimate the extent of local effects on current land resource management strategies.

The outcome is to produce increased preparedness to address climate change such that the predicted negative impacts on livelihoods and natural resources can be reduced through the implementation of adaptation strategies. Specific outputs would include:

Further information including project reports and presentations will be made available as the project progresses; for further information please contact the PHCC Executive Officer via info@peel-harvey.org.au.